Portable ice fishing shelter

ABSTRACT

A portable ice fishing shelter for providing an enclosed and expandable structure for ice fishing within. The ice fishing shelter generally includes a rigid primary enclosure having sidewalls, a roof, and a base to form a first interior space, wherein the base forms an inverted U-shaped raised center portion to accommodate a seat within and allow for smoother pulling below. The primary enclosure also has a side opening extending through at least one of the sidewalls for a rigid extendable enclosure. The extendable enclosure includes an open bottom and extends from a perimeter of the side opening and is movably connected thereto. The extendable enclosure is adapted to move between a refracted position during storage or transport and an extended position during use, wherein a second interior space is formed to accommodate one or more angling holes. A tow hitch and glide members may also extend from the primary enclosure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

I hereby claim benefit under Title 35, United States Code, Section 120of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/633,841 filed Dec. 9, 2009. Thisapplication is a continuation of the Ser. No. 12/633,841 application.The Ser. No. 12/633,841 application is currently pending. The Ser. No.12/633,841 application is hereby incorporated by reference into thisapplication.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a fish house and morespecifically it relates to a portable ice fishing shelter forefficiently providing an expandable structure to be enclosed withinwhile ice fishing.

2. Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Fish houses or shelters have been in use for years and are typicallymanufactured in various sizes and shapes. Ice fishing shelters may bemanufactured as a portable structure or a permanent structure. Manyportable ice fishing shelters have a tarp or fabric outer layers, whichcan be easily prone to tearing especially when exposed to below freezingtemperatures. It can be difficult to repair the tears, which oftenresults in air leaking through the repaired fabric and/or the resalevalue of the fishing shelter substantially decreasing.

Many other problems exist with prior portable ice fishing shelters, suchas being overweight and difficult to transport on and off the ice, notbeing wind resistant, and various others. Because of the inherentproblems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improvedportable ice fishing shelter for efficiently providing an expandablestructure to be enclosed within while ice fishing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for efficiently providing an expandable structure to beenclosed within while ice fishing. The invention generally relates to afish house which includes a rigid primary enclosure having sidewalls, aroof, and a base to form a first interior space, wherein the base formsan inverted U-shaped raised center portion to accommodate a seat withinand allow for smoother pulling below. The primary enclosure also has aside opening extending through at least one of the sidewalls for a rigidextendable enclosure. The extendable enclosure includes an open bottomand extends from a perimeter of the side opening and is movablyconnected thereto. The extendable enclosure is adapted to move between aretracted position during storage or transport and an extended positionduring use, wherein a second interior space is formed to accommodate oneor more angling holes. A tow hitch and glide members may also extendfrom the primary enclosure.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof may bebetter understood, and in order that the present contribution to the artmay be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction or to the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of thedescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention with the extendableenclosure fully extended outwards.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention with the extendableenclosure partially retracted inwards.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention with the extendableenclosure fully retracted.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention with theextendable enclosure fully extended outwards.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention with a pair of extendable enclosures fully extendedoutwards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview.

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 7 illustrate a portable ice fishing shelter 10, which comprisesa rigid primary enclosure 20 having sidewalls 22, a roof 21, and a base24 to form a first interior space 30, wherein the base 24 forms aninverted U-shaped raised center portion 29 between a pair of runners 25to accommodate a seat 33 within and allow for smoother pulling below.The primary enclosure 20 also has a side opening 37 extending through atleast one of the sidewalls 22 for a rigid extendable enclosure 50. Theextendable enclosure 50 includes an open bottom 62 and extends from aperimeter of the side opening 37 and is movably connected thereto.

The extendable enclosure 50 is adapted to move between a retractedposition during storage or transport and an extended position duringuse, wherein a second interior space 60 is formed to accommodate one ormore angling holes 12. A tow hitch 42 and slide members 44 may alsoextend from the primary enclosure 20 for pulling or towing purposes. Theprimary enclosure 20 and the extendable enclosure(s) 50 are alsopreferably insulated.

B. Primary Enclosure.

The primary enclosure 20 generally includes the interior space 30 inwhich the user is seated within and is the structure that is used tosupport the extendable enclosure(s) 50 extending therefrom. The primaryenclosure 20 is generally comprised of a rigid structure. The primaryenclosure 20 is further preferably comprised of a lightweight (for easytransporting) and floatable (in the case of ice breakage) material, suchas but not limited to plastic.

The primary enclosure 20 also generally includes a roof 21, sidewalls22, and a base 24 to form a substantially complete enclosed structure.The roof 21, sidewalls 22, and base 24 may be comprised of separatecomponents or may integrally formed. The primary enclosure 20 isgenerally of a height to allow an individual to stand up within thedefined interior space 30 of the primary enclosure 20 and is largeenough to accommodate the individual's fishing gear within. The primaryenclosure 20 may further be comprised of various sizes to accommodatevarious numbers of fishermen.

The sidewalls 22 may also include windows 31, vents, and various otherstructures. In addition, one or more of the lengthwise sidewalls 22includes a side opening 37 extending therethrough perpendicularlyoriented to the seat 33 and thus longitudinal axis of the primaryenclosure 20. The side opening 37 is preferably large enough for one ormore fishermen to comfortably extend their fishing rods through, feetthrough, etc. to access and view angling holes 12 positioned on theother side of the side opening 37. Each side opening 37 receives theextendable enclosure 50, which will be described in more detail in thenext section.

The base 24 generally includes a pair of runners 25 spaced along each ofthe sides from a front to a rear end of the primary enclosure 20 and araised center portion 29 between the runners 25. The raised centerportion 29 serves various purposes, such as reducing the engagingsurface area with the snow or ice surface to allow for easier towing, toreduce the likelihood of engaging snow chunks, ice chunks, and otherdebris, by providing an open space between the runners 25, and toprovide a support for a seat 33 positioned within the interior space 30of the primary enclosure 20.

It is appreciated that the seat 33 and center raised portion 29 may becomprised of various widths, such as depending on whether a side opening37 and extendable enclosure 50 is positioned on each side of the fishingshelter 10 which generally mandates different individuals to sitsubstantially back-to-back upon the seat(s) 33 to face a directiontoward a respective angling hole 12 in either a first extendableenclosure 50 on a first side or a second extendable enclosure 50 on asecond side of the primary enclosure 20. Thus, a wider seat 33 andcenter raised portion 29 is generally required for multiple extendableenclosures 50.

One or more seats 33, comprised of bench-style seats, bucket-styleseats, etc. are generally affixed to the raised center portion 29 in theinterior space 30 of the primary enclosure 20 for sitting thereupon.Further, a first lower space 34 and a second lower space 35 aregenerally formed on the interior side of the runners 25. The first lowerspace 34 and the second lower space 35 may be used for placing anindividual's feet (when sitting upon the seat 33), positioning fishinggear, etc.

Each of the runners 25 also generally include a tapered front end 26 forallowing a more smooth towing of the primary enclosure 20 by allowingfor a smoother transition between uneven surfaces. Each of the runners25 further preferably include longitudinal channels 27 extending withinthe runners 25 to at least partially receive the attachment structure 40and the slide members 44.

The attachment structure 40 is generally comprised of a metal materialand extends within the channels 27 via a base portion 41 and extendsforwardly therefrom to form a hitch portion 42. The base portion 41 andthe tow hitch portion 42 are preferably connected to better evenlydistribute the weight of the primary enclosure 20 when being towed viathe tow hitch portion 42. Various types of tow hitches may be utilizedwith the tow hitch portion 42. The base portion 41 also preferablyextends the entire length of the base 24 of the primary enclosure 20from a front end to a rear end for maximum distribution of weight.

Slides 44, generally of a Hyfax-type, are attached to the bottom of thebase portion 41 of the attachment structure 40 opposite the base 24 toengage a ground surface and facilitate easier sliding of the primaryenclosure 20 across snow and ice. Various other ground engaging meansmay alternately be utilized, such as skis, grooves in the bottom of thebase 24, ridges extending from the bottom of the base 24, etc.

C. Extendable Enclosures.

The present invention includes one or more extendable enclosures 50depending on the size of the fishing shelter 10 and the number ofindividuals the fishing shelter 10 is meant accommodate. Each extendableenclosure 50 is meant to retract and extend from the primary enclosure20 on a respective side of the primary enclosure 20. The extendableenclosure 50 is retracted inwardly towards the primary enclosure 20during transport and storage to provide a more arrow-dynamic,maneuverable, and smaller-width structure and the extendable enclosure50 is extended outwards to form a second interior space 60 toaccommodate the angling holes 12, rods, heater, etc. during use of thefishing shelter 10.

The extendable enclosure 50 is generally comprised of a rigid structure.The extendable structure is further preferably comprised of alightweight (for easy transporting) and floatable (in the case of icebreakage) material, such as but not limited to plastic similar to theprimary enclosure 20.

The extendable enclosure 50 generally includes side panels 54, a frontpanel 57, a top panel 51, and a substantially open bottom 62 (mayinclude some bottom structure, as long as adequate space is provided forangling holes 12 therethrough or may be completely open). The extendableenclosure 50 preferably includes a bi-fold door structure for the sidepanels 54, wherein the side panels 54 fold inwardly when moving betweenthe refracted and extended positions. The side panels 54 include hinges55 in place at each end and the center of the bi-fold door structure.

The front panel 57 is attached at an outer end of the side panels 54 andmay include a door 58 extending therethrough for accessing the interiorspace 60 of the primary enclosure 20 and/or extendable enclosure 50. Itis appreciated that the primary enclosure 20 is directly accessiblethrough the door 58 when the extendable enclosure 50 is in the refractedposition and the extendable enclosure 50 is directly accessible throughthe door 58 when the extendable enclosure 50 is in the extendedposition. It is also appreciated that the door 58 may be positioned atvarious locations upon the primary enclosure 20 and/or extendableenclosure 50 in alternate embodiments. Additional doors may also beutilized.

The top panel 51 of the extendable enclosure 50 preferably slidesstraight within the primary enclosure 20 in the refracted position. Thetop panel 51 may include a lip 52 extending vertically upward on aninner most edge for sealing any gap formed between the top panel 51 andthe primary enclosure 20 through the side opening 37.

D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment.

In use, the fishing shelter 10 is attached to a tow vehicle (e.g. ATV,snowmobile, etc.) and towed to a fishing location. Once at the fishinglocation, snow or other debris is generally cleared away and the sideopening(s) 37 is positioned adjacent to where the angling holes 12 areto be drilled. The angling holes 12 are drilled and the extendableenclosures 50 may be extended outwardly from the primary enclosure 20 sothat the side panels 54 of the extendable enclosure 50 are distallyspaced from the sidewalls 22 of the primary enclosure 20 and preferablysubstantially perpendicular with the sidewalls 22 to define the secondinterior space 60 around the angling holes 12.

The individual may then enter the fishing shelter 10 through the door 58to immediately access the second space 60 and then enter the first space30 through the side opening 37 to sit upon the seat 33. The individualgenerally faces the side opening 37 to view and access the angling holes12 positioned within the second interior space 60.

When transporting the fishing shelter, the side panels 54 are foldedinwards to retract the extendable enclosure 50 until the front panel 57is proximally spaced and preferably substantially flush with therespective sidewall 22 of the primary enclosure 20. It is appreciatedthat the side panels 54 may extend inwardly within the interior space 30of the primary enclosure 20 slightly when in the retracted position.Various locks or mechanisms may be used to retain the extendableenclosure 50 in either the extended position or the retracted position.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described above. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law andregulations. In case of conflict, the present specification, includingdefinitions, will control. The present invention may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the spirit or essentialattributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the presentembodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are forconvenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A portable ice fishing shelter, comprising:a primary enclosure having sidewalls, a roof, and a base to form a firstinterior space, wherein said first interior space is adapted tosubstantially enclose at least one seat, wherein said base includes afirst runner, a second runner, and a raised center portion formedtherebetween, wherein said first and second runners and said raisedcenter portion extending parallel to said sidewalls from a front end toa rear end of said primary enclosure; one or more seats affixed to saidraised center portion; wherein said primary enclosure has a side openingextending through at least one of said sidewalls; and at least oneextendable enclosure having side panels, a front panel, a top panel, anda substantially open bottom; wherein said first runner and said secondrunner define a first lower space positioned below said at least oneseat and above said first runner within said first interior space and asecond lower space positioned below said at least one seat and abovesaid second runner within said first interior space.
 2. The portable icefishing shelter of claim 1, wherein said at least one extendableenclosure is comprised of a rigid structure.
 3. The portable ice fishingshelter of claim 1, wherein said side panels of said at least oneextendable enclosure are each comprised of a hinged bi-fold structure.4. The portable ice fishing shelter of claim 1, wherein said at leastone extendable enclosure includes a door.
 5. The portable ice fishingshelter of claim 1, wherein said top panel includes a lip formed alongan inner edge for sealing said side opening when said at least oneextendable enclosure is positioned in said extended position.
 6. Theportable ice fishing shelter of claim 1, wherein said first runner andsaid second runner each have at least one ground engaging meansextending therealong.
 7. The portable ice fishing shelter of claim 6,wherein said ground engaging means is comprised of a slide member. 8.The portable ice fishing shelter of claim 1, including a tow hitchextending from said primary enclosure.
 9. A portable ice fishingshelter, comprising: a primary enclosure having sidewalls, a roof, and abase to form a first interior space, wherein said first interior spaceis adapted to substantially enclose at least one seat, wherein said baseincludes a first runner, a second runner, and a raised center portionformed therebetween wherein said first and second runners and saidraised center portion extending parallel to said sidewalls from a frontend to a rear end of said primary enclosure; one or more seats affixedto said raised center portion; wherein said primary enclosure has afirst side opening extending through at least one of said sidewalls; anda first extendable enclosure having side panels, a front panel, a toppanel, and a substantially open bottom; wherein said first extendableenclosure extends from a substantial perimeter of said side opening ofsaid primary enclosure and is movably connected with respect to saidprimary enclosure; wherein said first extendable enclosure is adapted tomove between a retracted position and an extended position, said firstextendable enclosure being adapted to retract inwardly towards saidprimary enclosure and to extend outwardly to form a second interiorspace; wherein said front panel is substantially flush with said atleast one sidewall and over said side opening in said retracted positionand wherein said front panel is distally spaced from said side openingin said extended position to form a second interior space within saidfirst extendable enclosure; wherein second interior space is connectedto said first interior space through said side opening; wherein saidfirst runner and said second runner define a first lower spacepositioned below said at least one seat and above said first runnerwithin said first interior space and a second lower space positionedbelow said at least one seat and above said second runner within saidfirst interior space.
 10. The portable ice fishing shelter of claim 9,including a second extendable enclosure extending from a perimeter of asecond side opening of said primary enclosure, wherein said second sideopening extends through an opposing sidewall as said first side opening.11. The portable ice fishing shelter of claim 9, wherein said sidepanels of said at least one extendable enclosure are each comprised of ahinged bi-fold structure.
 12. The portable ice fishing shelter of claim9, wherein said at least one extendable enclosure includes a door. 13.The portable ice fishing shelter of claim 9, wherein said top panelincludes a lip formed along an inner edge for sealing said side openingwhen said at least one extendable enclosure is positioned in saidextended position.
 14. The portable ice fishing shelter of claim 9,wherein said first runner and said second runner each have at least oneground engaging means extending therealong.
 15. The portable ice fishingshelter of claim 9, including a tow hitch extending from said primaryenclosure.
 16. A portable ice fishing shelter, comprising: an primaryenclosure having sidewalls, a roof, and a base to form a first interiorspace, wherein said first interior space is adapted to substantiallyenclose at least one seat; wherein said primary enclosure has a sideopening extending through at least one of said sidewalls, wherein saidside opening is oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of saidprimary enclosure; at least one extendable enclosure having side panels,a front panel, a top panel, and a substantially open bottom; whereinsaid at least one extendable enclosure extends from a substantialperimeter of said side opening of said primary enclosure and is movablyconnected with respect to said primary enclosure; wherein said at leastone extendable enclosure is adapted to move between a retracted positionand an extended position; wherein said front panel is proximally spacedto said side opening in said retracted position and wherein said frontpanel is distally spaced from said side opening in said extendedposition to form a second interior space within said at least oneextendable enclosure; wherein said second interior space is adapted tosubstantially enclose one or more ice angling holes and wherein saidsecond interior space is connected to said first interior space throughsaid side opening; wherein said at least one extendable enclosureincludes a door operatively connected to said front panel; wherein saidtop panel includes a lip formed along an inner edge for sealing saidside opening when said at least one extendable enclosure is positionedin said extended position; wherein said base includes a first runner, asecond runner, and a raised center portion formed therebetween andextending parallel to said longitudinal axis of said primary enclosure;one or more seats affixed to said raised center portion; wherein saidfirst runner and said second runner define a first lower spacepositioned below said at least one seat and above said first runnerwithin said first interior space and a second lower space positionedbelow said at least one seat and above said second runner within saidfirst interior space; wherein said first runner and said second runnereach have at least one channel extending longitudinally therealong; anattachment structure having a base portion and a tow hitch portion,wherein said base portion is positioned within said at least one channelof said first runner and said second runner; wherein said tow hitchportion extends from a front of said base portion; and a slide memberattached to said base portion opposite said base.